The Home and the World

Nikhil asks himself what it means to truly be someone’s wife. What is, exactly, the nature of a wife? He scolds himself for his sadness and reminds himself that he is more than the things he gains, and loses, in this world. Nikhil starts to believe that his relationship with Bimala is an accident, and that she could only truly be happy with someone like Sandip. However, he knows that Sandip is not a great man.

Chandranath enters and tells him to go to bed, but Nikhil is no longer able to go to bed early. He is uncomfortable if he lies down before Bimala is asleep. Rani comes in and sees that he is in pain. She also tells him to go to bed, saying she cannot bear to see his suffering.

Bimala admits to herself that she is crazed with desire. However, her worshipful feeling changes; soon, she does not respect him. Finally, she looks down on him. It is her body that rebels against her and wishes for him to stay. She is tormented by a desire to be free of her infatuation, but also for it to remain.